Automatic centre punch

[Gojeep]

I bought an automatic centre punch for sheet metal work rather hit my old punch with a hammer as less chance of distortion. When it works I like the results but only paid $10 for it and often it takes 5 presses before it works now after little use. Bit better after pulling it apart and cleaning but thought there must be a more reliable one out there? Any brand recommendations?

Cheers

[skintkarter]

Originally Posted by Gojeep

I bought an automatic centre punch for sheet metal work rather hit my old punch with a hammer as less chance of distortion. When it works I like the results but only paid $10 for it and often it takes 5 presses before it works now after little use. Bit better after pulling it apart and cleaning but thought there must be a more reliable one out there? Any brand recommendations?

Cheers

Exactly my experience with a Hare and Forbes China special... Would also be interested in a decent one. Presume Starrett still make this kind of stuff? Moore & Wright seems to have vanished in the mists of time....

Just found this re Starrett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsY8U4exqOE

Yusss... for old fashioned quality.

[hot rivet]

X3 on that, i took mine back. Either starrett 18A or an Eclipse E172 Both Starrett and Eclipse make a large and small automatic punch.

[crystallographic]

I changed to LS some time back, after realizing my collection of non-working models was creating a pile in my "non-working-but-usable-for-parts" drawer. I'd heard some workshops guys talking about how the Snap- models never failed so I went shopping. Not finding used Snap- I found a bunch of very-good-used-and-in-the-box LS, so I now have 6 of the LS in 3 sizes, jumbo, normal, and mini. (I modified some of them for numerical marking, so usage overall is frequent.)

Misfires are rare, which is the way things should be, I think.

[Steve Hamilton]

Hi Kent

Thanks for the info. but I'm not sure what the LS is short for?

steve

[hot rivet]

LS= The LS Starrett company

[Stretch]

I have had the Snap-on one for 25 years and it still works! They still sell the same model today. Very slim and can be kept in a top pocket as it has a pen type clip.

[Gojeep]

This is great info and glad others are getting a benefit too from it.

[fabricator]

Originally Posted by Stretch

I have had the Snap-on one for 25 years and it still works! They still sell the same model today. Very slim and can be kept in a top pocket as it has a pen type clip.

Me too, the old one is just as good as when it was new,again 20 years+old.
The new version is not as slim, possibly not USA made, misses a hit randomly, returned it to my Snap On Dealer.
The replacement is no better either
Neil.

[slobitz]

I paid $30 for my starret and it works fine. Other brands needed constant attention.